Spring Football Update: Spartans Finish Week One in Pads

Spartans practice in full pads for the first time this spring on Friday afternoon.

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State football team held its third practice of the spring and the first in full pads with a two-and-a-half-hour workout Friday afternoon inside the Duffy Daugherty Building.

Following practice, Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio said he was pleased with his team during the first week of spring ball.

"I like our attitude and continue to like our chemistry," remarked Dantonio. "I'm also impressed with our effort and our toughness. Anytime you have those things going, I think positive things are going to happen."

With the players now in full gear, Dantonio noticed the increased intensity on the field during Friday's practice.

"It was the first day in pads, so everyone was a little chippy out there," he said. "There was a lot of good hitting. We made our quarterbacks live, which I think is a good thing. I saw some guys make some plays in the live situations.

"I thought our defense was crisp. We're trying to do some different things offensively and make some changes, so there's always going to be a learning curve as you move through the process. But the key was that the guys came out and played. The offense made some plays, and the defense made some plays, as usual. It's the first day of spring (in pads). It's tough to evaluate when you haven't seen the film yet."

The Spartans will return to the practice field on Tuesday, March 26.

"We're just three days into spring ball - two days of shorts and one day of pads," Dantonio said. "We're trying to work everybody and get everybody reps, so you're looking to try and do the most basic, fundamental things. That always starts with effort and toughness, and then being able to react. This is a very reactionary game and an emotional game. But we're just getting started here. We hit a lot today; it a good two-hour plus practice. It was a good thing."

Michigan State's 15 spring practices conclude with the annual Green-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 20 at Spartan Stadium, beginning at 2:30 p.m.